Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Mukia maderaspatana (L) and their biological activities.

Nanotechnology is a field of science that consists of atoms, molecules and supramolecular molecules that create nanoparticles ranging in size from 1-100nm. Silver nanoparticles are widely used that are considered as effective antimicrobial agents. In this paper, the antioxidant activity of biosynthesized SNPs were analyzed by the DPPPH activity, hydrogen peroxide activity, hydroxyl RSA, TAC, TFC; their results confirmed that the phenolic compounds of this plant peels extracts enhanced the antioxidant and antiglycation activity with respect to silver nanoparticles. Biosynthesized nanoparticles of this plant extracts also showed strong zone of inhibition against the different Xanthomas, Pseudomonas and E. coli. This study concluded that biosynthesized nanoparticles of Mukia maderaspatna (M.M) plant peels extracts have the great biological activities i.e. antiglycation, antioxidant and antibacterial. More research is needed to know the exact dose rate and to compare the different dose combination of the plant with the strong antibiotic agents against these bacteria.

Tryptophan lessens reserpine induced anxiety, depression and memory impairment by modulating oxidative stress and serotonergic activity.

Reserpine (Res)-induced depletion of monoamines and altered neurotransmission and produces oxidative stress. Tryptophan (TRP) regulated the serotonin neurotransmission. Because systemically injected Res induced behavioral deficits and oxidative stress, while, dietary components prevented these adverse effects, we used TRP a pharmacological tool to prevent Res- induced changes in behavior, memory impairments, oxidative stress and regulation of serotonin neurotransmission in rats. Anxiolytic, antidepressant, cognitive functions, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes serotonin metabolism were studied in Res and vehicle treated animals following administration of 50 and 100 mg/ml/kg of tryptophan. Following administration of TRP [50 and 100mg/ml/kg], Res induced anxiety-and/or depression like behaviors normalized. Res-induced impaired cognitive function and increased acetylcholinesterase activity also improved following administration of TRP at both doses. Res induced increased brains' malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased antioxidant enzymes activity also normalized by TRP. Res-induced decreased 5-HT metabolism also regulated by administration of TRP at both doses. In conclusion it can be recommended that administration/supplementation of TRP in daily life can aid in battling the anxiety, depression, modulating serotonergic activity and oxidative stress. Study also exhibits the anti-acetylcholinesterase role of TRP which may be possible reason for improved cognition following stress situation.

Exposure to noise augments behavioral deficits in mice: Protective effect of banana peel extract.

The study is aimed to evaluate the protective impact of banana peel extract (BPE) following noise induce behavioral deficits in male mice. Animals were separated into two groups (control and test, 12 in each). Control mice were given drinking water, at the same time test group was given BPE (400 mg/kg; oral administration). Animals have received their respective treatment for 14 days. Mice were subdivided (n=6) into unstressed and stressed groups on day 15. Noise stress was given to the respective group for 4-h. Behavioral activities were monitored 24-h after the 4-h noise stress. Forced-swim-test, Elevated-plus-maze and light-dark-activity-box tests were performed for depression/anxiety-like behaviors respectively. Morris-water-maze assessment was used for memory. After behavioral tests animals were sacrificed and brain was detached for biochemical estimations and histopathological studies. In the present study, BPE produced anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects and enhanced memory. Activity of antioxidant enzymes increased while levels of AChE and MDA decreased in BPE treated animals. Histopathological alterations induced by noise stress were also normalized by BPE. It is concluded that supplementation/administration of banana peel has preventive effects against anxiety, depression and memory impairment via its strong antioxidant potential following NS.

Diet supplements of banana fruit pulp mitigates repeated noise stress induced behavioral deficits and oxidative stress.

The current study was designed to determine the outcome of banana fruit pulp (BFP) on repeated noise stress exposure (NSE)-induced behavioral deficits and oxidative stress in male mice. BFP (600mg/kg b.w) was administered orally once daily for 2 weeks prior exposure to noise stress. Mice were exposed to NS for 4 h after administration of BFP for 2 weeks. Control mice were administered drinking water and similar treatment as given to test animals. At the end of the treatment behavioral changes were monitored. Animals were sacrificed following behavioral assessment and the brain and plasma samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Repeated NS-induced behavioral deficits (anxiety and depression), impaired learning and memory and produced oxidative stress. Administration of BFP inhibited NS-induced behavioral deficits (anxiolytic and antidepressant effects) and improved cognitive abilities. Brain lipid per oxidation was also decreased with concomitant increase of antioxidant enzyme activities. Repeated noise stress increased plasma corticosterone levels. A significant decrease of plasma corticosterone was observed on unstressed BFP treated animals while this decrease was comparable in stressed + BFP animals. Decreased levels of acetylcholinesterase in BPF+NS treated animals indicated increased cholinergic function which improves learning and memory. Repeated oral administration of BFP induced cognitive improving ability, anti-stress effect and potentiated antioxidant defence mechanism in both control and NS mice. Thus, it is suggested that dietary supplementation of BFP has a curative effect against NS-induced psychiatric and cognitive related disorders which merits deliberation and additional appraisal.

Enhancement in spatial and recognition memory functions following long term oral administration of ginger extract in rats.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) is known over the centuries for its medicinal properties and has been used worldwide as health supplement and for treatment of several diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole ginger extract administration on spatial and recognition memory using experimental animal models. The antimicrobial properties of ginger extract against various pathogenic fungal and bacterial species were also examined. Aqueous extract of ginger at a dose of 500 mg/kg was orally administered to test rats and water was orally given to control rats for 6 weeks. Water Maze task (WM) was used to assess spatial memory and recognition memory of rats was evaluated by the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) task. Time spent with novel object was significantly increased in ginger treated rats as compared to control animals in novel object recognition task exhibiting enhanced recognition memory in ginger treated rats. Ginger treated rats exhibited significantly enhanced both short term memory and long term memory as evidenced by decrease in time to reach the hidden platform 1h and 24 h after training as compared to control rats. Short term memory functions of ginger treated rats were more enhanced than long term memory functions. Our findings suggest that ginger consumption may lead to an improvement in spatial and recognition memory. Significant activity of aqueous ginger extract was observed against pathogenic bacteria as well as fungal species. It is therefore suggested in this study that ginger extract can be used in microbial infections and as a memory enhancing drug in various memory disorders.

Knowledge of warning signs, presenting symptoms and risk factors of coronary heart disease among the population of Dubai and Northern Emirates in UAE: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the level of knowledge regarding warning signs, presenting symptoms and risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) among population of Dubai and Northern Emirates in UAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional survey of 1367 residents of Dubai and Northern Emirates was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Respondents were classified into two groups: Young Adult Population (YAP; 18-24 years of age) and General Population (GP; 25 years and older). Majority of participants were males (56.7%) and of South Asian (57.5%) or Middle-Eastern (30.8%) ethnicity. Regarding presenting symptoms of CHD, chest pain was identified by around 80% of population, whereas pain in the left shoulder was recognized by 61% of GP and 44% of YAP. Atypical symptoms were poorly identified. Regarding risk factors, only one-fourth population knew that males were at higher risk compared to premenopausal females. Few knew that the risk increases in females after menopause and that the risk is higher for females who smoke and use oral contraceptives. 62% knew that the survivors of a heart attack are at high risk of recurrences. Except for tobacco smoke, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, knowledge of other risk factors was not satisfactory. Older adults and females had comparatively higher level of knowledge. CONCLUSION: Knowledge level of many of the symptoms and risk factors of CHD is unsatisfactory. There is, therefore, a need to increase the awareness in the population of UAE. The knowledge gaps identified through this study can be addressed through health campaigns to increase the awareness about warning signs, symptoms and modifiable risk factors. .

Substituted urea derivatives: a potent class of antidepressant agents.

A series of fourteen (14) N-nitrophenyl-N'-(alkyl/aryl)urea and symmetrical 1,3-disubstituted urea derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antidepressant activity in mice. Among them, N-(4-nitrophenyl)-N'-(1'-phenylethyl)urea (1), demonstrated profound antidepressant property as reflected by significant reduction in the immobility time (89.83%), whereas compounds 2-6 showed activity values between 36 to 59% which were also larger than the standard phenelzine. Compounds 7-9 were less effective in reducing the immobility period of mice 26.20 to 31.01%). This variable magnitude of antidepressant activity appears to be related to the position of the nitro group to the parent molecules 1, 2, and 8. Compound 1 with the nitro group at para position showed to be the most effective antidepressant. However, the activity declined, if the nitro is attached to ortho and meta positions.